Hospitality Liability Practice Group

The Hospitality Liability practice group of Marshall, Dennehey, Warner, Coleman and Goggin represents numerous clients in the hospitality industry.  Our commitment to this well defined practice has enabled our firm to develop an understanding and appreciation of issues peculiar to the hospitality industry, including:

• Premises Liability
  
  • Parking lots
  • Entrances
  • Restrooms
  • Guestrooms
  • Swimming pools
  • Spas
  • Workout facilities
• Assaults
  
  • Security plans and procedures
• Contaminated food
  
• Bailments
  
  • Guest motor vehicles
  • Guest mail
  • Guest baggage
  • Guest jewelry
• Liquor Liability

Members of this practice group have handled a significant number of liquor liability matters.  We concentrate on the representation of liquor licensees and social hosts in cases involving significant personal injuries and death.  Through the years of our handling these cases, we have developed, with the valuable input of our clients, investigatory procedures, defense strategies and trial preparation techniques that enable us to vigorously defend these matters or settle them for realistic sums. It is our practice to make the most of the uniqueness of liquor liability as a tort and to take strategic advantage of opponents who do not fully appreciate their burden of proof and the strength and viability of evidential proofs they must present to meet their burden.

Our clients have established a reputation in the industry for litigating peripheral liability claims, even in matters involving significant potential damages, with little or no regard for eleventh-hour "cost of defense" settlements.  We fully appreciate that some cases are destined for trial and others are best handled through compromise.  These decisions must be made in consultation with our clients.  It is imperative that the client be kept fully informed and last minute changes in litigation planning should be avoided.

Our continuing commitment is that of providing a vigorous, yet cost effective defense.  We have developed strategies and techniques which aid in the discovery process, as well as the ultimate trial.  Our multi-office coverage allows us to assign attorneys familiar with local rules and practice.  We are cognizant that hospitality cases often have a public relations aspect and we are fully prepared to manage all collateral issues which may arise.

We would welcome the opportunity to work with you in the defense of hospitality based claims. As a service to our clients, we routinely conduct training seminars on pertinent issues.

Inquiries and referrals concerning hospitality liability matters should be directed to: